New role is just champion

A COMMUNITY champion is in a position to influence decisions on trams coming into Oldham.

Councillor John Dillon has taken on a new role as Oldham spokesperson for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.

Councillor Dillon, who served on the authority from 2000 to 2003 and rejoined this year, was appointed at the authority’s annual meeting.

He will also be the new vice-chairman of the authority’s Bus Shelters Committee.

Councillor Dillon, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Crompton on Oldham Council and community champion for Shaw and Crompton Community Council, welcomed his new roles.

He said: “I am delighted to take on these new positions and look forward to representing the borough’s public transport users.

“Transport plays an important role in people’s day to day lives as well as being vital to the economic and social regeneration of the area. In the borough of Oldham, we look forward to Metrolink providing a catalyst to achieve these aims.

“I look forward to working with the authority to promote and improve public transport in Oldham and across Greater Manchester.”

The authority is responsible for assessing transport needs across the county and making policy decisions about public transport provision.

It is made up of 33 councillors appointed by the 10 district councils in Greater Manchester and has a nominated spokesperson for each district.

Oldham’s other representatives on the authority are Councillor Richard Knowles and Councillor David Jones.